The Big Room Reveal #1

So a looooong time ago I posted this about my big design project at my in-laws' house.  Well today I am happy to say that I am ready to reveal one of the rooms!!

Here is the before picture of the old squeaky full sized bed...

 And after a little TLC plus a new queen sized mattress...  The bedding is a combination of things from  TJ Maxx, and Bed Bath and Beyond.  The headboard is from Pier One.

Instead of a bedside table, we put in a small desk (from TJ Maxx, chair from World Market).  It turned out to be such a cozy little spot and really functional too!  Within a short time after getting there, my brother in law had his laptop and mouse set up and ready to go. :)  The lamp is from Pier One and the mirror I found at Home Goods.

Here is a before picture of the opposite wall...

And here is that corner now, cozied up with a floor lamp and picture (from Target, as is the one above the bed).

Here is the wall across from the windows.

Notice the dresser... its the same one refinished with new hardware.  It was sanded down and then spray painted a cream color.   And yes, its the only thing we saved.  Trust me, no one was using that Nordic Track, haha.  You got rid of it, right Teri?? :)

My sister-in-law and I dug around in the closet over Thanksgiving and found all these old family photos... we had them blown up at CVS and they turned out just beautiful in matching frames.  I love this wall!

While looking through the boxes of pictures, we also found some things stored away that had belonged to my mother-in-law's father, who died when she was a little girl.  We bought the shadow box at Target and my sister in law arranged everything so beautifully!  It turned out to be a really meaningful part of the room.

 I'm no professional designer, so I really have no idea about the "correct" terms used to describe the style of a room.  In my head, I was going for cozy, warm, and somewhat country, but not overly shabby or ornate.  Kind of a clean, cozy, country.  How's that for terminology? :)  But through my experiences with my own house, you don't need to know the "right" terminology, you just need some ideas and some inspiration!  I looked through tons of photos on blogs before starting.  Then we went shopping specifically for the fabrics (pillows, bedding, curtains).  After that we just did some more shopping... and I do mean "we"... Paul not only cooks but he is an amazing design assistant.  Didn't I hit the jackpot??  :)  We bought some things, tried them out, returned some things, kept some things.  You know, sort of a trial by error kind of process.  Gradually, the look developed and once the major pieces of furniture were found (the headboard, desk, and chair) the room really came together!  

Just for fun, here are a few pictures of my in-laws seeing the room for the first time.  It was SO fun to see their reaction.  It was over Thanksgiving break, so the whole family got in on the excitement...

Ooh, that ceiling fan is also new, as is the plaque above the closet which reads "The Lord is my Strength and my Song." 

 Love this picture... this is my sweet mother-in-law realizing its the old dresser...

The second room is close to completion but just needs a few final touches.  Here's a little sneak peek...

I'm loving these colors together, so warm and cozy!  Oh and don't forget to leave a comment on Paul's post yesterday if you have any requests for his video series coming up!  I am SO excited about it... he is very talented in the kitchen and I have learned soooo much from him.